Jeremías 10:16-25

16 ¡Pero el Dios de Israel
no es ningún ídolo!
Él es el Creador de todo lo que existe,
incluido Israel, su posesión más preciada.
¡El Señor
de los Ejércitos Celestiales es su nombre!

17 La destrucción que se acerca
Haz las maletas y prepárate para salir;
el sitio está por comenzar.

18 Pues esto dice el Señor
:
«De forma repentina echaré
a todos los que viven en esta tierra.
Derramaré sobre ustedes grandes dificultades,
y por fin sentirán mi enojo».

19 Mi herida es profunda
y grande mi dolor.
Mi enfermedad es incurable,
pero debo soportarla.

20 Mi casa está destruida,
y no queda nadie que me ayude a reconstruirla.
Se llevaron a mis hijos,
y nunca volveré a verlos.

21 Los pastores de mi pueblo han perdido la razón.
Ya no buscan la sabiduría del Señor
.
Por lo tanto, fracasan completamente
y sus rebaños andan dispersos.

22 ¡Escuchen! Oigan el terrible rugir de los ejércitos poderosos
mientras avanzan desde el norte.
Las ciudades de Judá serán destruidas
y se convertirán en guarida de chacales.

23 Oración de Jeremías
Yo sé, Señor
, que nuestra vida no nos pertenece;
no somos capaces de planear nuestro propio destino.

24 Así que corrígeme, Señor
, pero, por favor, sé tierno;
no me corrijas con enojo porque moriría.

25 Derrama tu ira sobre las naciones que se niegan a reconocerte,
sobre los pueblos que no invocan tu nombre.
Pues han devorado a tu pueblo Israel;
lo han devorado y consumido
y han hecho de la tierra un desierto desolado.

Jeremías 10:16-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 10

This chapter shows that there is no comparison to be made between God and the idols of the Gentiles; represents the destruction of the Jews as near at hand; and is closed with some petitions of the prophet. It begins by way of preface with an exhortation to hear the word of the Lord, and a dehortation not to learn the way of the Heathens, or be dismayed at their signs, since their customs were in vain, Jer 10:1-3 which lead on to expose their idols, and set forth the greatness and glory of God. Their idols are described by the matter and makers of them, Jer 10:3,4,9 and from their impotence to speak, to stand, to move, or do either good or evil, Jer 10:4,5, but, on the other hand, God is described by the greatness of his name and power, and by the reverence that belongs unto him; in comparison of whom all the wise men of the nations are brutish, foolish, and vain, Jer 10:6-8, by the epithets of true, living, and everlasting, and by the terribleness of his wrath, Jer 10:10, by his power and wisdom, in making the heavens and the earth, in causing thunder and lightning, wind and rain, when the gods that have no share in these shall utterly perish, Jer 10:11-13 their makers being brutish, and brought to shame; and they falsehood and breathless vanity, the work of errors, and so shall come to ruin, Jer 10:14,15, but he, who is Jacob's portion, and whose inheritance Israel is, is not like them; being the former of all things, and his name the Lord of hosts, Jer 10:16 and next follows a prophecy of the destruction of the Jews; wherefore they are bid to gather up their wares, since in a very little time, and at once, the Lord would fling them out of the land, and bring them into distress, Jer 10:17,18, upon which the prophet expresses his sympathy with his people in trouble, and the part of grief he took and bore with them, Jer 10:19, the particulars of his distress, through the desolation of the land, and the captivity of the people, with the cause and authors of it, by whose means these things were brought upon them, are mentioned, Jer 10:20,21, and the Chaldean army, the instruments of their ruin, are represented as just at hand, Jer 10:22, when the prophet, directing himself to God, acknowledges the impotence of man in general to help and guide himself, deprecates correction in anger to himself in particular, and prays that the wrath of God might be poured down upon the Heathens, by whom his people were devoured, consumed, and made desolate, Jer 10:23-25.